Dhaka seeks effective international role over Rohingya issue

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Dhaka, October 17: Bangladesh has sought an effective role from the international community and the United Nations in finding a permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis.“We want an urgent solution to the crisis so that the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals can go back to their homeland safely and with dignity,” said Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury at a function in the UN Headquarters on Monday.

She said the root cause of the problem lies in Myanmar and solution to the crisis also lies in Myanmar. “Solution to the Rohingya crisis is possible if there’s a political will.”

Mentioning the role of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Shirin Sharmin said the Prime Minister has shown her courage and determination by providing Rohingyas with shelters on humanitarian ground. “She kept the door open for the helpless Rohingyas.”

The Speaker, based on her field visit experience, described the horrific tales of Rohingyas who fled violence in Myanmar and took shelter in Bangladesh, according to Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN.

She also highlighted five-point proposals placed by the Prime Minister in the UN, including creating a safe zone inside Myanmar and repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas.

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock briefed the member states about the ministerial-level pledging conference, set to be held in Geneva on October 23. Shirin Sharmin attended the briefing as a special guest.

Mark Lowcock, who recently visited Rohingya camps, also shared his experience at the press conference.

He thanked the Bangladesh government and its people for providing shelter to Rohingyas with generosity and sought support from the international community.

In the evening, the Speaker held a meeting with former UN chief and Chair of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State Kofi Annan.

At the meeting, she thanked Annan for his constructive report that recommended ways to find solution to the Rohingya crisis.

Kofi Annan thanked the Bangladesh government and people for their humanitarian role amid the influx of Rohingyas to Bangladesh.

The Speaker invited Annan to visit Bangladesh at a time convenient to him.

Annan assured Bangladesh of his continued support over the Rohingya crisis.